Who uses kettlebells or any other "unconventional" method(s) in their normal fitness routine? What's your favorite piece of equipment, workout, etc? Favorite benefits of using these methods? What got you into them?
I just started using kettlebells and a steel mace this summer. Man, this stuff can be brutal and I love it. Best of all, I'm getting great workouts in a short period of time (which I don't have a lot of normally, with school and work) and I'm getting both strength and conditioning training in at the same time. I feel more flexible, mobile, and sturdy. Plus, these things have been easy on some old injuries I have from my active duty days. That's a huge perk for me because I normally have issues when I try to stick to a normal fitness plan. I'm not saying I haven't had some extra aches and pains outside of muscle soreness, it's just not bad enough that I have to stop for awhile. Usually a day or two of extra rest and I'm good to go again. Of course The Wife likes the results, too.
I stick with body weight, kettlebells, and a steel mace for my normal routine:
Day 1 - upper body; mace, kettlebell, and body weight
Day 2 - pull ups, push ups, and core work
Day 3 - legs; mace and kettlebell
Day 4 - pull ups, push ups, and core work
Day 5 - rest
Day 6 - full body, all out workout; mace, kettlebell, and body weight. My favorite on this day is the "Viking Power Workout" from Onnit Academy. I'm always hurting afterwards.
Day 7 - rest; this is a Sunday if I stick to my normal schedule and I will do a lot of stretching to recover from day 6, and sometimes I'll let The Wife talk me into doing yoga (get a really good stretch in).
I got most of my workouts and gear from Onnit, both their website and their Youtube channel. I'm not affiliated with them in anyway - just a fan of the company and the way they do things. They're worth checking out, IMO. They have a ton of health and fitness info out there that is free to anyone.
I just started using kettlebells and a steel mace this summer. Man, this stuff can be brutal and I love it. Best of all, I'm getting great workouts in a short period of time (which I don't have a lot of normally, with school and work) and I'm getting both strength and conditioning training in at the same time. I feel more flexible, mobile, and sturdy. Plus, these things have been easy on some old injuries I have from my active duty days. That's a huge perk for me because I normally have issues when I try to stick to a normal fitness plan. I'm not saying I haven't had some extra aches and pains outside of muscle soreness, it's just not bad enough that I have to stop for awhile. Usually a day or two of extra rest and I'm good to go again. Of course The Wife likes the results, too.
I stick with body weight, kettlebells, and a steel mace for my normal routine:
Day 1 - upper body; mace, kettlebell, and body weight
Day 2 - pull ups, push ups, and core work
Day 3 - legs; mace and kettlebell
Day 4 - pull ups, push ups, and core work
Day 5 - rest
Day 6 - full body, all out workout; mace, kettlebell, and body weight. My favorite on this day is the "Viking Power Workout" from Onnit Academy. I'm always hurting afterwards.
Day 7 - rest; this is a Sunday if I stick to my normal schedule and I will do a lot of stretching to recover from day 6, and sometimes I'll let The Wife talk me into doing yoga (get a really good stretch in).
I got most of my workouts and gear from Onnit, both their website and their Youtube channel. I'm not affiliated with them in anyway - just a fan of the company and the way they do things. They're worth checking out, IMO. They have a ton of health and fitness info out there that is free to anyone.